Pre-hospital low-volume resuscitation with hemoglobin-glutamer-200 (Hb-200) in a canine hemorrhagic shock model

The Bowen Technique is a unique hands‐on therapy developed by Tom Bowen of Australia in the 1950s–60s and adapted for use in animals by Carol Bennett in 1997. It consists of a specific sequence of gentle, precise rolling moves done with thumb and fingers over muscle and tendon edges, across the direction of tension. A short waiting period follows each set of moves. Definitive mechanism(s) of action remains to be identified; however, autonomic nervous system modulation (heart rate variability studies) has been documented in humans. The technique has also been reported effective for back, hip, neck, and shoulder pain in human studies. Five geriatric dogs (13–16 years old) of various breeds were presented in a case series at a small animal clinic for primary complaints of stiffness, poor ambulation, and difficulty lying down/getting up. Four had hindlimb proprioceptive deficits; three had arthritic changes to coxofemoral joints and/or lumbar spine; three showed active indicators of pain (chronic pacing/panting; irritability; social withdrawal). All were on NSAID and/or nutritional therapy with unsatisfactory results. One dog had acupuncture weekly for over 1 year but no longer tolerated the needles. Treatment consisted of Animal Bowen at weekly or biweekly intervals. Three dogs were pain scored [0–10; average starting score 6.7 ± 0.6 (mean ± S.D.); range 6–7] by owner before and after treatment. All five dogs showed significant positive changes in attitude, and four had notable improvement in ease of ambulation, after the first treatment. Improvement was progressive over treatment course. Average post‐treatment score was 2.3 ± 2.1 (0, 3, 4); average pain score reduction was 4.3 ± 1.5 (range 3–6) after two to six treatments for the three dogs scored. One dog had complete resolution of hindlimb lameness of 5 years duration after three sessions. Animal Bowen, used alone or in conjunction with standard analgesics and other treatments, can be an effective therapy for chronic musculoskeletal conditions in dogs.     

Use of a Piezo Drill for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection into Cattle Oocytes Activated with Ionomycin Associated with Roscovitine

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) consists of the introduction, by micromanipulation, of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg. This technique is particularly advantageous when only a few sperm are available for fertilization, representing an important tool in preserving genetic material, especially from poorly fertile males. The results from ICSI in cattle are very often unsatisfactory and difficult to reproduce. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of a Piezo drill (PD) and oocyte activation with ionomycin + roscovitine (I + R) during ICSI in cattle oocytes. After in vitro maturation (24 h), cumulus complex oocytes were divided into four groups: G1 – the ICSI was performed without the use of a PD and the oocyte was activated with I + R; G2 – the ICSI was performed with the use of the PD and activation with I + R; G3 – the ICSI was performed with the use of the PD, but without activation and G4 – parthenogenetic control, treated with I + R, but without sperm injection. The presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days and evaluated on day 3 for cleavage rate and on day 7 for blastocyst formation. Embryo production by standard in vitro fertilization in the laboratory was 78% for cleavage (117/150) and 35% for blastocyst formation (41/150). The cleavage rates obtained in G1, G2 and G4 were similar (66.7%, 71.6% and 66.3%, respectively), demonstrating the beneficial effect of oocyte activation. However, in G3, despite the presence of the sperm and the electric stimulation of a PD, the cleavage rates were significantly lower (17.5%) compared with the groups that used chemical activation, even in the absence of sperm (G4). Despite the beneficial effects of activation, this stimulus alone, or in the absence of the PD, was not sufficient for adequate morulae formation (13.4%, 37.9%, 0.0% and 13.5% for G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively). Only in G2, when the PD was used followed by artificial activation, blastocysts were obtained (14.7%). These results indicate that cattle oocytes must be activated after ICSI to produce viable embryos.     

Thermal antinociceptive pharmacodynamics of 0.1 mg kg−1 hydromorphone administered intramuscularly in cats and effect of concurrent butorphanol administration

Hydromorphone (HY) has not been objectively assessed as an analgesic in cats. It has been suggested that butorphanol (B) can have a synergistic action with pure μ‐agonists. The aim of this study was to assess the antinociceptive activity of a single dose of HY, and to examine the effect of concurrent B administration on the thermal threshold (TT). Thermal thresholds were measured following IM administration of HY, B, a combination of B and HY (HY‐B), or saline (S). Six cats (four spayed females, two castrated males, 4.75–6.8 kg) were used. Each cat received HY (0.1 mg kg^?1), B (0.4 mg kg^?1), HY (0.1 mg kg^?1), and B (0.4 mg kg^?1) (HY‐B), or S (0.05 mL kg^?1) in a randomized, blinded, cross‐over study design. Each cat received each treatment, with at least 12 days interval between the treatments. All injections were IM randomized to left or right quadriceps using a 24 SWG needle. Twenty‐four hours prior to each study, the thorax of each of the cats was shaved. On the day of the study, TT was measured using a thorax‐mounted thermal threshold‐testing device specifically developed for cats. Skin temperature was recorded before each test and then the heater was activated. When the cat responded by flinching, turning, or jumping, the stimulus was terminated and the threshold temperature was recorded. Three baseline thresholds were recorded over 1 hour before IM injection of test drug. Thermal threshold cut‐off was 55.5 °C. TT was measured at 5 and 15 minutes, every 15 to 360 minutes, every 30 minutes to 8 hours, every hour to 12 hours, and at 24 hours post‐injection. Threshold data were analyzed using an anova with a repeat factor of time. Behavioral adverse effects (dysphoria) were associated with B administration, but not with HY or HY‐B administration (these produced calm euphoria). The control group was stable over time (p = 0.22) (mean threshold 40.15 °C). Overall, there was no period effect, no significant effect of administering B, but a significant effect (raised TT) of administering HY or HY‐B. If the mean value of one of the experimental groups differed from the control group (40.075 °C) by more than 2.355 °C (>42.425 °C), that mean was significantly different from control at p < 0.05 (Bonferroni's t‐tests). This occurred between 15 and 165 minutes for B, from 15 to 345 minutes for HY, and between 15 and 540 minutes for HY‐B. In this model, HY provided up to 5.75 hours of antinociception at 0.1 mg kg^?1, and concurrent administration of butorphanol (0.4 mg kg^?1) decreased the intensity of antinociception over the first 2 hours, but extended the duration of significant antinociception to about 9 hours.     

Inflammatory infiltration into placentas of Neospora caninum challenged cattle correlates with clinical outcome of pregnancy

Infection with Neospora caninum stimulates host cell-mediated immune responses, which may be responsible for placental damage leading to bovine abortion. The aim of this study was to compare immune responses in the bovine placenta, following experimental infection in different stages of pregnancy. Placentomes were examined by immunohistochemistry and inflammation in early gestation was generally moderate to severe, particularly in the placentas carrying non-viable foetuses, whereas it was milder in later stages, mainly characterised by the presence of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and γδ T-cells. This distinctive cellular immune response may explain the milder clinical outcome observed when animals are infected in later gestation.     

Examining progress towards achieving the Ten Steps of the Rome Declaration on Responsible Inland Fisheries

Inland capture fisheries provide food for nearly a billion people and are important in the livelihoods of millions of households worldwide. Although there are limitations to evaluating many of the contributions made by inland capture fisheries, there is growing recognition by the international community that these services make critical contributions, most notably to food security and livelihoods in rural populations in those low‐income countries with extensive freshwater resources. With the increasing appreciation of the key role of inland fisheries to the health and well‐being of human populations globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Michigan State University convened the 2015 global conference, Freshwater, fish, and the future – cross‐sectoral approaches to sustain livelihoods, food security, and aquatic ecosystems. What emerged from the interactions between inland fisheries’ scientists, resource managers, policymakers and community representatives from across the world was a forward‐looking call to action culminating with the 2015 Rome Declaration “Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries” (FAO & MSU, Rome declaration on responsible inland fisheries: 5735E/1/06.16). Four years after this landmark conference and declaration, we seek to advance discussion on the “Ten Steps,” namely what successful implementation looks like, assess current examples of implementation, suggest potential signals of progress and provide some specific, indicative examples of progress for each step. While there are promising signs of progress, we conclude that there remains a strong need to galvanize momentum for sustained action to ensure that inland fish and fisheries are accounted for and incorporated into broader water resource management discussions and frameworks.     

Origin of the equine middle latency auditory evoked potential

Recordings of the middle latency of the auditory evoked potential (MLAEP) were made in eight conscious ponies. These traces were compared to those made under halothane anaesthesia with and without paralysis of the skeletal muscles. Recordings were also made from percutaneous electrodes placed along the neck with the same stimulus used for the auditory evoked potentials. The results of these experiments were used to deduce the origin of latencies in the auditory evoked potential occurring between 10 and 25 ms after the stimulus. The MLAEP was found to contain two positive peaks between the latencies of 10 and 25 ms. The first of these two peaks was not abolished by halothane anaesthesia or muscle paralysis. The second of these two peaks was abolished by halothane anaesthesia in all but one animal. In this animal the second peak was abolished by muscle paralysis. No peaks of corresponding latency were recorded from the percutaneous electrodes except from one electrode position at the caudal neck in one pony. The first peak of the middle latency auditory evoked potential seen in conscious ponies appeared to be of central nervous orign. The second peak appeared to be of muscular origin, possibly from the external auditory muscles. The second peak may be analogous to the post-auricular waveform described in man.